We have two complementary objectives for graduate student development:
1) to perform world-class research on cutting edge geographic information topics
2) to apply spatial analytical tools in innovative and appropriate ways to solve real-world problems

Attaining either objective requires developing a deep understanding of issues underlying the collection, modeling, analysis, and display of spatial data -- all of which are core departmental strengths.

A typical program for a graduate student with a focus on GIS might include the following courses:

GEO 425: Geographic Information Systems
Technical and theoretical issues in the design, evaluation and implementation of geographic information systems for research and application.

GEO 801: Issues in Geographic Information Science:
Manipulation and display of geographic data. Interpreting and using geographic information in social and scientific contexts. Ethical issues associated with geographical information science

GEO 825: Geoprocessing Integration
of digital remote sensing data, geographic information systems, spatial analysis, and expert systems in solving research problems. Class research project.

GEO 826: Seminar in Cartography/Geoprocessing
Review of research in cartography, geographic information systems, and remote sensing.

GEO 827: Digital Image Processing and Analysis
Use of computer to classify and enhance satellite images and to extract information from them. Combining images from different sources. Accuracy assessment of resulting information.

GEO 865: Advanced Quantitative Methods in Geography
Statistical and mathematical approaches. Multiple regression, principal components and factor analysis, discriminant analysis. Related taxonomic methods.

GEO 866: Spatial Data Analysis
Spatial Statistics: point pattern analysis, trend surface analysis, variogram models, kriging, spatial autoregressive models. Links statistical analysis to GIS.

GEO 874: Seminar in Geographic Information Science.
Geographic information science (GIS) applications to social and environmental problems. Theory and related issues.

GEO 886: Research Design in Geography.
Research and writing in geography. Identification of geographic problems and their relative importance. Structuring and stating hypotheses. Data acquisition and tests for validity.